Apparatus for applying sheet material to other materials



Sept- 4, 1945- A. P.,BAMFORD 2,384,231

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL To OTHER MATERIALS 7 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 11, 1942 m R m o T 0 NB WP N lr OOVZAVZ/// P 1945- A. P. BAMFORD 2,384,231

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL TO OTHER MATERIALS Filed July 1.1, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WV? a4 2L6 29 g 22.) i INVENTOR 5 b Aihur F. Bomforol 5a 0 32 33 5 NEY P 1945- A. P. BAMFORD' 2,384,231

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL TO OTHER MATERIALS Filed July 11, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNVENTOR I Ar ur Bamfor'd F|G.7.

ms ORNEY Sept. 4, 1945. BAMFORD 2,384,231

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL TO OTHER MATERIALS Filed July 11, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ar nford p 1945- A. P. BAMFORb 2,384,231

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL TO OTHER MATERIALS Filed July 11, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IflVENTOR 32 A ur P. Bamford I Patented Sept. 4, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SHEET MATE- RIAL TO OTHER MATERIALS Arthur P. Bamford Millburn, N. J., asslgnor to Arkell & Smiths, Inc., Canajoharie, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 11, 1942, Serial No. 450,570

- same machine, to apply individual sheets which 12 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of operating upon moving material, and particularly to the attaching-of individual sheets of material to suitable base material while the latter moves relative to the individual sheets to be attached.

The invention is somewhat related to that disclosed in detail and claimed in my' U. S Patent Number 2,289,336, issued July '14, 1942, entitled Apparatus for applying sheet material to other material; however, ,there are certain important differences in the specific aspects thereof, however, which will be made clear hereinafter.

Here, similar to the prior invention set forth in my above referred to patent, the individual sheets to be attached are usually and preferably flexible or pliable, a speciflcexample of material used being sheet cellulose acetate. The base material may vary considerably in character so long as there are surface areas suitable for receiving the individual sheets to be attached. Thus, the base material maybe a continuous web of sheet material, such as paper or paper-board, having a series of individual surface areas to which the respective individual sheets are to be attached, as, for example, in the manufacture of windowed car-' tons, or it may be a series of individual pieces of sheet material, such as paper-bag or carton blanks cut out from sheet paper or paper board material. Again, it may be a series of individual articles, each having one or more suitable sheet-receiving surfaces.

The objects of the present invention, are in general, the same as those set forth in my stated patent but they include others as well.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide for the applying of individual sheets having relatively short lengths, to sheet-receiving areas of base material which are relatively widel spaced, so that articles maybe produced which are relatively long as compared with the lengths of the respective individual sheets applied thereto.

It is also an object to provide for accommodating a wide variety of work on a single machine.

.For example, it may be desired to utilize the machine'for a few hours in the work of attaching individual sheets at intervals of a certain spacing along the length of a base web, say at intervals of 24 inches, and, thereafter, for the same type of worlgbut applied to a'base'web where the intervals between sheet-receiving areas are shorter or longer than the certain spacing, as, for instance, 12 inches or 36 inches.

It may also be desired to apply individual sheets having wcertain length, and, thereaftenbythe are shorter or longer than the given length.

Thus, it can be seen that machines constructed in accordance with the present invention are not limited to the applying 'of individual sheets having certain given lengths which cannot be varied, for any given unit, nor to the applying of individual sheets at relatively closely spaced intervals.

In the specific disclosure of my patent, a continuous strip of the sheet material to be applied is fed onto a suction-cylinder applicator while the latter is rotating adjacent the path of travel of the base material, the speed of travel of the base material being considerably faster than the speed of rotation of the applicator. As the applicator rotates, the so fed and carried end of the continuous strip is successively severed to provide the individual sheets, the severing being accomplished just prior to the time the applicator carries the sheet material into the attaching zone. As thus severed from the continuous strip, each individual sheet is individually carried by a sector like section of the suction cylinder applicator, such sector-like section being articulatively mounted for individual movement relative to its supporting structure and to the other sector-like sections of the applicator. Accordingly, during the respective attaching operations the respective sector-like sections concerned are free to movr forward limited distances relative to the remainder of the applicator, and at the greater speed of travel'of the base material. This freedom of forward movement is limited in extent by reason of the close spacing of the sector-like sections, made necessary by the construction and function of the applicator.

The applicator of the present invention is so designed and constructed, however, as to allow considerable leeway of forward movement for the individual, articulatively-attached sections or arms which carry the individual sheets to be al plied, and such sections are so attached to the framework of the applicator as tobe capable of the relatively great forward movement which may be demanded of them during the sheet-applying operations. The sheet material to be applied is fed to the applicator, not in a continuous strip which must be severed on the applicator, but in the formof pro-cut individual sheets adapted to be individually carried by the respective articulatively, attached sections or arms of the a plicator.

to pass base materials through the sheet applying.

zone.

For example, in attaching relatively short tags, say 1 in length. to a web of paper-bag material at relatively long bag-length intervals, say 36", it is necessary to pass the web material through the applying zone of the apparatus at a very high speed relative to the speed at which the tag applicator, considered as a whole, normally rotates.

Another advantage of the present invention resides in the fact thatthe individual sheets to be applied may be positioned on the supporting pad surfaces of the respective sections orarms as desired. Thus, an uncovered margin may be left on a supporting pad surface for contacting the base material in advance of the carried individual sheet, which has been found to be desirable in many instances. v

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a preferred form of the invention as embodied in upparatus for applying window-pane sheets of cellulose acetate over sequentially spaced window-frame apertures in a continuous base web of sheet paper-board material, the view illustrating the. window-pane" sheet applicator with associated mechanism, portionsoi the apparatus lying in the foreground being removed to reveal the applicator in its entirety;

Fig. 2, an enlarged fragmentary detail view, taken'similarly to that of Fig. 1, and particularly illustrating the applicator/ and directly cooperating mechanism;

Fig. 3, a section taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 2, and enlarged, portions removed for Figs. 1 and 2 being here illustrated in section; Figs; 4, a vertical section taken on the line 4-4,

Fig. '5, a section taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 3, but illustrating the ,entire applicator, and showing the circular back-plate thereof, with the mechanism it carries, in elevation; parts are broken away to reveal certain of the applicator arms, and other hidden' parts are indicated by dotted lines;

Fig. 6, a detail perspective view of the latch mechanism per se;

Fig. '7, a top plan view of the base web, taken from the standpoint of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8, a side elevation of another preferred form of the invention as embodied'in apparatus for operating upon a series of individual blanks. :ach provided with a window-frame" a'perure;

Fig. 9, a skeletonized view in side elevation of suitable drive mechanism for the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 8; Fig'igs. 10, a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 11, a view similar to that of Fig; 2, but illustrating another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. '12, a sectional view taken on the line 12-42, Fig. 11.

Fig. 13, a detailed sectional view taken on the line ll-ll, of Fig. 1, but illustrating an arrangement which may be substituted for the latch ltnlctiue.

' dividual carrying and app y n members of the The illustrated specific forms of apparatus merely exemplify the possibilities inherent in the generic" concepts of the invention.

In the apparatus of Figs. 1 through 7, the sheet cellulose acetate is conveniently provided in the form of a roll 10 mounted on a suitable spindle H so that a continuousstrip I! may be unreeled therefrom. The strip i2 is passed through a pair of feed rollers, l3 and M, respectively, passing under a guide roller I! en route, and is thence fed to a severing device for the successive severing of individual sheets therefrom. The spindle H and several rollers II, M, and ii. areall mounted on shafts extending from supporting frame structure ii.

The severing device here comprises a block i1,

.see Figs. 1, 2 and 5, extending from a bracket frame member I, which is, in turn, bolted to the frame structure l8. Such block II has a broad horizontal slot l9 extending therethrough, through which is threaded the free end of strip 52. A fiat blade 20 is suitably mounted (not shown) against that lateral side of the block H from which the free end of strip l2 emerges, for

reciprocation acrosspthe discharge end of the slot i9; Acting in cooperation with the outer edge of the bottom of slot l9. such blade Ill functions as a shear blade to completely sever the emergent length of strip II from the main body thereof.

An applicator of rotary type is indicated generally 2i, and is mounted for rotation adjacent the discharge portion-of the severing device for successively picking up the individual sheets as they are successively clipped of!" from the free end of strip l2, and for carrying them sequentially. I

The applicator 2| of the instant. apparatus serves the same purposes as the'suction cylin-' der applicator of the machines disclosed in my aforementioned patent, so far as the carrying and applying functions of the latterare concerned, and is, similarly, of suction type. -It plays no part, however, in the severing of the individual sheets from the strip of sheet material to be applied.

As aforestated, it is here desired that the inapplicator be allowed sufficient freedom of forward movement during the respective applying operations to enable the machine to apply individual sheets at relatively widely spaced intervals as well as to accommodate a considerable variety. of work. To this end, the individual carrying and applying members are advantageously provided in the form of a plurality of arms, radiating from a central axial support 'much as spokes ofa wheel radiate from the hub thereof. The several arms are respectively articulatively mounted relative to the axial support for individual movement relative toone another and to the axial support. Means are provided for limiting and guiding the desired respective movements of the arms, but there is no intervening structure which unduly limits the freedom of movement.

pend upon the particular circumstances of use, but in no instance will so many be supplied that the required freedom of movement will be impaired.

The applicator 2| of Figs. 1 through 7 isde- The number of arms provided for any given applicator will de- -t1on of the applicator.

widest spacing possible pursuant to this invens tion. It'comprises four sheet-carrying and applying arms, each designated 22, pivoted to a central axial support or hub 23 and extending radially "therefrom substantially along diameters thereon which mutually intersect at right angles. Thus, a sheet-carrying and ap plying arm is provided for each quadrant of the circular path of rotation of the applicator. It will be observed that the sheet-carrying and applying arms of the applicator are arranged in mutually seriatim relationship about the periphery of the applicator, that is to say, without anyother part of the applicator interposed betweenthe sheet-carrying and applying arms.

The hub 23 is fixed to a tubular shaft 24, see especially Fig. 3, for rotation therewith, such tubular shaft 24 being mounted on a stationary axial suction tube 25, encircling the same in a close sleeve fit and being adapted to rotate thereon as an axis. The axial suction tube 25 extends through the frame structure l6 and connects with a source of suction, such as an ordinary vacuum pump (not shown). A cap 25 seals the opposite end of such axial suction tube 25 against infiltration of atmospheric air.' Such cap is secured to the frame end-plate Figs.

' and a flexible air-tight tube 34, preferably rub- '2 and 3, through the intermediate bearing ring 2|5, in which the said opposite end of axial suction tube 25 is j'ournaled. v

The wall of axial suction tube 25 is apertured intermediate its ends, partially circumferentially, as at 21, and is grooved annularly around its outer surface, as indicated generally 23, at opposite sides of the aperture, thereby providing air seals between the stationary tube 25 and the rotary shaft 24 for precluding infiltration of atmospheric air between the two.

The hub 23 has passages formed transversely through its body portion for tightly receiving securing-pins 29, such pins serving to secure and pivot the sheet-carrying and applying arms 22.

Extending through the hub 23, preferably perpassages into which are fitted suction tubes,

indicated 3|, respectively, see Fig. 4. Corresponding passages are provided through the wall of tubular shaft 24, and suction tubes communicate with the interior of axial suction tube 25 through the circumferential 'aperture 21 thereof, at regular intervals during the rota- The suction tubes 3| have ends 3la which protrude from the circumferential outer surface of the hub 23.

Each of the sheet-carrying and applying arms 22 is formed of two recessed half pieces 22| and 22-2, which coordinate to produce a hollow interior 223, see Fig. 3. The half pieces are conveniently secured together by means of bolts, as illustrated, which pass through suitably provided openings. Each of the arms 22 has spaced ears 22a and 22a at one end thereof, forming a coupling member, and has, at the giher end thereof, a pad-receiving formation b v The ears 22a and 22a of each arm are respectively apertured in mutual alignment for loosely receiving a securing pin 29, and for consequent pivotal coupling to the rim of hub 23. Each pad-receiving end 22b is recessed to form a'relatively broadan'd'shallow suctionbhamber 32 when a perforated pad 33 is inset into position as illustrated.

A passagev extends from the hollow 22-3 .of'

each am, through the pad-receiving end thereof, to communication with the suction chamber 32,

her, is passed through such passage and through a the hollow interior 223 of the arm, into sealed connection with the protruding end 3|a of the particular insert tube 3| concerned. Thus, the suction chamber 32 of the pad end of each arm 22 communicates directly with the interior of axial suction tube 25, through the circumferential aperture 21 thereof, at regular intervals as the apis so located with respect to the severing device as to provide suction for the pads 32 of the arms, through such portion of their rotative path as will produce the desired result. It should be noted that, by suitably regulating the timing of the strip feed relative to the applicator rotation, the sheets |2--l may be positioned as desired relative to the respective suction pad surfaces, preferably spaced backwardly from the forward edges thereof to provide advance marginal areas of such-suction pad surfaces for initial contact with the base material.

Adjacent the discharge end of the severing device, a pressure roller 35 is secured for free rotation at the end of a supporting yoke 36 and for coaction with the suction pad pick-up surfaces of the several sheet-carrying and apply-.

ing arms 22 as they rotate into the sheet pick-up zone, see particularly Fig. 2. The supporting yoke 35 is secured to the frame structure it, and so positions the bed roller 35 with respect to the v severing device as to cause each individual sheet |2--| to be picked up immediately after it has been severed from the main strip l2.

The base web 40, to which the individual sheets |2| are successively applied in spaced sequence, travels in immediate adjacency to a portion of the circumferential path of rotation of applicator 2| which is located remote from, and substantially opposite, the sheet pick-up zone adjacent the severing device. It is continuous in length, so far as the operation of the machine is concerned, and has the window-frame apertures 4| formed therethrough as spaced inthrough a pair of feed rollers comprising the upper and lower rollers 42 and 43, respectively, and through a pair of pressure rollers comprising the upper and lower rollers 44 and 45 respectively, the latter being disposed adjacent the applicator 2|. for ironing out the applied window-D ne? .sheets i 2--| over the-windowframe apertures 4| and for insuring tight adhesion thereof to the base web. A bed roller 46 is provided immediately below the applicator 2| for cooperation with .the sheet-carrying *and ap- Suitable punch plying arms thereof during the sheet applying operations.

The applicator 2| includes a circular back-plate 50, see especially Fig. 3, mounted on a hub 5| which is keyed to the shaft 24 for rotation therewith and with the hub 23. Such back plate serves to carry instrumentalities which limit and guide the individual rotative movements of the several sheet-carrying and applying arms 22 with respect to one another and to the applicator as a whole.

The above-mentioned instrumentalities comprise limit-stop posts, indicated 52, respectively, Fig. 2, rigidly secured to the back-plate 50 and protruding from the effective face 500. thereof for definitely limiting the extent of backward movement of the several arms 22. Such arms may have respective bosses 220 formed on their back sides for service as buffer plates when the arms are brought back smartly against the limitstop posts 52. It should be noted that the limitstop posts 52 are so located in the back-plate 50 as to maintain their respectively associated arms 22 in radial positions as respect the circular path of movement of the applicator.

The arms 22 are normally held against their respective limit-stop posts 52 by means of respective coil springs 53, each of which is secured at one of its ends to a forwardly projecting portion 22d of its associated arm, as by engagement with the bolt 54 of that arm, and is secured at its other end to its respective one of anchor posts 65 of back plate 50. Such anchor posts 55 arm 22 is normally maintained is the sheet pickup position for the arm, and is maintained during the pick-up operation and at all other times except during and immediately following the sheet-applying operation.

Since the individual sheets are attached to the base material in spaced sequential alignment, the base material is caused to travel through the apparatus faster than the applicator rotates. Accordingly, if the sheets are to be properly and nicely applied to the base material, the respective applicator members which individually carry and apply the sheets must be allowed or made to travel at the same speed as the base material during the applying operations.

With this in mind, the sheet-carrying and applying arms 22 are respectively articulatively the sheet-applying zone, but as to out 05 such suction within the sheet-applying zone, the exact point of suction cut-off being determined speed of travel of the base web until the sucmounted to allow freedom'of forward movement thereof during the respective sheet-applying operations.

It should be noted that each window-frame.

of their travel from the sheet pick-up zone to tion grip is released, as explained above.

Because of the spacing of the several sheetcarrying and applying arms 22 relative to one another, the extent of forward movement or swing thereof may be lesser or greater asthe. particular use to which the machine is put requires. Thus, the speed of travel of the web 48 might be increased to accommodate a longer spacing of the sequential "window-frame apertures relative to one another, or may be slowed down to accommodate a shorter spacing with out necessitating any change in the applicator 2|.

In the operation of the applicator 2! following each sheet-applying operation, it is necessary that the particular sheet-carrying and applying arm concerned be held inits forwardly moved position for a limited time o that it does not interfere with the forward movement of the next rearwardly placed arm on the next succeeding sheetpp ying operation. Latch mechanism may be provided for this purpose.-

Spaced forwardly of each of the several sheet-' crank 82 having the arms 82a. and 62b. The arm 62a is provided with an aperture 63 within which is secured one end of a coil spring 84, the other end of such coil spring being secured to a pin 65 which extends from the face 50b of back plate 50. Such coil spring 84 normally maintains the bell crank 62 with its arm 62a abutting against a. stop pin 62-l, that is to say, in such position that the arm 22b thereof projects outwardly for engagement, once in every complete revolution of back plate 50, with a stationary trip-post 66, Figs. 2 and 5, which projects from-the s p rting frame structure It. The position of trip post 66 is determined by the point in the rotative path of the applicator 2| at which it is .desired to allow the respective forwardly swung arms 22 to return to their respective normal limit-stop positions following the respective sheet-applying operations.

The latch arm 8| has, in each instance, a latch .head "a which stands ready to snap into engagement with a pin 61 carried by the particular arm 22 concerned when such arm is. advanced sufficiently far forward forv such engagement.

It will be seen, therefore, that, as the respective arms 22 are pulled forwardly relative to the other arms, and to the applicator 2! as a whole, dur

Y sheet-attaching operations. These advanced positions of the respective arms 22 are maintained until the respective latch arms 60 are carried sufllciently far around the rotative path of the applicator that their respective extending bell crank arms 02b contact trip-post 00, thereby opening the respective latche and releasing the respective arms 22 so such arms can return to their normal limit-stop positions against therespective limit-stop pins 02, under the influence of'the respective coil springs 00.

For any given operation of the apparatus, the speeds of travel of the base web and the applicator must be correlated relative to each other in such a ratio as to accommodate the particular work concerned. The respective motivating mechanisms may be mutually correlated in various ways, depending upon the specific structural characteristics of the apparatus employed.

As here illustrated, see Fig. l, a main drive shaft 70, journaled in frame structure I0, has gears II and 12 rigidly mounted-thereon. The

'gear II meshes with an intermediate'gear I0,

. I0, meshes with intermediate gear I5, which, in

turn, meshes with the driven gear 10, rigidly mounted n the tubular shaft 24 of the applicator II. the control of main drive shaft I0.

Rigidly mounted on the main drive shaft I is a pulley 11 which connects, by means of flexible belting 10, with a pulley", mounted on a shaft 00, Journaled' in supporting frame structure I6. Also rigidly mounted on the shaft 00 is a sprocket wheel II which connects, by means of a link chain 02, with a sprocket wheel 00, rigidly mounted on a shaft 04. Also rigidly mounted on the shaft 04 is a sprocket wheel 00, which connects, by means of link chain 00, with a sprocket wheel 01, rigidly mounted on the shaft upon which feed Accordingly, the applicator is driven under plication on the base web, only the sprocket wheels between the feed roller oi the base web actuating means and the main drive shaft 10' need be replaced by those of suitable ratios.

In Figs. 8, 9, and 101s illustrated another embodiment of the invention which is adapted for handling successive individual blanks of base material rather than a continuous base web. A stack top of the other and kept in stack formation by the lateral guide posts- I02, rests upon a link belt conveyor comprising a pair of link belts I00, I 00 roller 42, of the pair of feed rollers 42 and 40,15

rigidly mounted. Roller 48 is constantly pressed toward feed roller 42 by a conventional, springcontrolled pressure device 00, a similar device, in-

dicated 00, being provided for the roller pair of guide rollers 44 and 40.

Accordingly, the rotation of feed roller 42, and the consequent travel of base web 40 through the apparatus, are also controlled by main drive shaft 10.

All of the above described gearing and sprocket drives are, of course, provided in suitable ratios for the particular work operated upon at any given time, the feed of strip I2, the speed of travel of base web 40, and the speed of rotation of applicator 2i being suitably correlated for proper operation of the machine as explained hereinbefore.

When it is desired to accommodate work having different intervals between areas of sheet apmutually spaced apart in parallel relation, see Fig. 10. The individual blanks II of the stack I00 are successively displaced and carried forwardly from the bottom of the stack by means of studs I00a which protrude upwardly from the link belts I00 during the travel thereof through the upper portions of their endless paths. The studs I00a are spaced apart along the lengths of the respective link belts I00, I03 by a distance slightly greater than the length of an individual blank IOI. The endless link belts I00 are mounted on sprockets, indicated I04, respectively, which are, in turn, mounted on shaffi'i 05, I00 for lateral adjustment thereon relative to each other. The lateral adjustxnent is accomplished by means of pairs of mutually parallel threaded shafts I 08, I00, to which the sprockets I04 are connected by means of slotted legs I01, I01. A tension roller I00 may be provided at a suitable location-in the paths of travel of the endless link belts.

An adhesive applying device is disposed in the path of travel of the successive individual blanks i0I to and through the sheet-applying zone of the apparatus. Itcomprises an applying cylinder I00 which has cameo transfer dies I00a provided at diametrically opposite locations on its circumferential surface, and. further, a glue pot I I0 having a transfer roller III operative therein. The

transfer roller III is so disposed that, when the adhesive applying cylinder I00 rotates, the cameo transfer 'dies I00a roll thereagainst and receive a coating of liquid glue or other suitable type of adhesive therefrom. In the rotation of the adhesive applying'cylinder I00, the-cameo transfer die surfaces come in contact with and serve to transfer a coating of the liquid to the respective carton blanks IOI in accordance with a desired. configuration, usually the configuration of the peripheral margins of window-frame openings IOI-I. A doctor blade II! controls the amount of adhesive picked up by the cameo transfer dies I00a from the transfer roller III, and a bed roller IIO provides a support for the successive individual blanks as they pass through the adhesive-applying zone of the apparatus, all as is conventional in the art.

An intermediate belt conveyor, indicated generally H4, is provided between the bed roller 0 and a gravity actuated pressure roller H0. The latter serves to smooth outand distribute the adhesive applied to the individual carton blanks IM, A second endless link belt conveyor, which comprises the pair of parallel endless link belts I I0, I I0 leads directly into the sheet-applying zon of the apparatus.

The second pair of endless link belt conveyors Iii, H0 is preferably identical to the first pair of endless link, belt conveyors I00, I00 inits mounting and will not be additionally described in detail. The pair of individual endless link belts I I0, I I0 may be adjusted laterally on their mount ings in the same manner as may be the pair of iniigidual endless link belts I03, I03 on their mount- In this instance. the individual sheets are shown applied to the individual carton blanks in substantially the same manner as the individual sheets I2-I of the prior embodiment are applied to the base web 40. The roll I" of strip material H3 is mounted so that the strip may be passed between feed rollers, indicated generally at I15, and into the severing device I20. The applicator cylinder is here identical to that of the prior embodiment and is indicated generally at I22, Fig. 8. A. bed roller I23 cooperates with the applicator in the respective sheet-applying opera- I tions, similarly as in the prior embodiment.

A series of pairs of pinch rollers indicated generally I24, I25, I25 serve to receive and forward the successive individual carton blanks IOI from the application zone of the apparatus, and to smooth out and insure tight adhesion of the individual "window-pane sheets 'over the windowframe apertures of the individual carton blanks. An endless belt conveyor I23, whichflmay move slowly relative to the movements of the other conveyors of the apparatus, serves to receive and partially stack the completely processed individual blanks Ill and forward them to a table l29'for further disposal. I

As in the previously described embodiment, the

various instmmentalities of the apparatus are correlated in proper ratio for operation relative to one another in effecting the results desired. Here, a main drive shaft I30, see Fig. 9, is connected to any suitable motivating means such as an 'electric motor, andservesto drive all the component instrumentalitics of the apparatus an intermediate shaft m transmits meme motion from main drive shaft I33, by means of miter gearing I32, to-driven shaft I33, by means of miter gearing I34. Such driven shaft I33, in turn, transmits rotative motion to the adhesiveapplying cylinder I33 by means of miter gearing I35, and to applicator I22 by means of miter gearlng I30. It also transmits rotative movement to the feed rollers III by means of the-intermediate shaft I3l. y

The main drive shaft I30 transmifs rotative movement to the respective link belt conveyors by means of intermediate shafts I30 and I40, respectively, the pairs of pinch rollers I24, I25 and In being actuated by gears, indicated generally I, connected with the intermediate shaft I40, as by means of achain drive I42.

In the previously described embodiments, it will be noted that the individual sheet-carryins-and pplyi arms 22 are pivoted to the rim of a hub, and therefore do not have their individual centers of rotation coincident with one another, nor coincident with the axis of rotation of the applicator as a whole. Under certain conditions of use, as where relativelyv short sheets are beins successively applied to base material at relatively closely spaced intervals, such arrangement is entirely satisfactory, but where th'c. sheets are comparatively long and the successive intervals of application are comparatively 10118 or widely spaced, it is desirable that the individual sheet-carrying and a plying arms be mountedin common on the axis of rotation of the applicator as a whole.

Il'or this purpose, the tubular shaft 24 and stationaryaxialsuctiontubc 2i maybeextendedin lengthas-illustratedinflgs. 11 and 12,toac-' commodate the individual sheet-carryingandapplyin arms 22 in side-by-side alignment and by direct rotative mounting. frhe secured ends 22 of the respective arms 22 are formed accordingly, that is, as bearings encircling the tubular shaft 24, in the manner illustrated.

The elongated suction tube 25 is provided with an aperture 21 for each of the arms 25, and the bearing ends 22a of the arms 25 are provided with respective suction tubes 3i which register, respectively, with the apertures 21 at regular intervals during rotation of the applicator.

As in the prior embodiments, each arm 22 is hollow and has preferably a flexible air-tight tube 34 leading from the protruding end 3 la of its suction tube 3| to communication with the broad and shallow suction chamber 32 of its pad-receiving end 221), here by means of a short, rigid suction tube I50, corresponding to the suction tube 3|. .But, inthe'present embodiment, the pad-' receiving end 22b is elongated laterally to comprehend the greater width of the applicator as a whole, resulting from the side-by-side, common axial mounting of the several arms '22.

In all other instances the present embodiment of the invention is essentially similar to the prevlously described embodiments. There is a back 25 plate 50 provided with limit-stop posts 52, latch mechanism 50, and anchor posts 55 for return springs 53. Because of the extended width of the applicator as a whole, however, the posts 52 and 55 are extended in length sufllciently to accom- 30 plish their respective tasks, see Fig. 12, and because the arms 22 are articulative, or free to retate, with respect to the supporting tubular shaft 24, the back-plate 55 being fixed, however, with respect to such shaft 24, the limit-stop posts 52 serve, additionally in this embodiment, to normally maintain rotation of such shaft 24 and such arms 22 in synchronism. g It should be noted that the applicator is shown in Fig. ll with one ofits sheet-carrying and ap- 40 plying arms 22 in forwardly swung position, latched against premature return, immediately following a sheet-applying operation.

As illustrated in Fig. 11, a guideway for that end of the sheet material I2 which is emergentfrom the severing device, may be provided to m sure proper positioning of the severed individual sheets I2-I on the respective suction pad surfaces. Such guideway may comprise a, lower guide plate I and anupper guide plate II.

It will be realized that in all embodiments of this invention the pad-receiving ends of the sheetcarrying and applying arms, and the suction pads thereof, should have respective areas sufficiently extensive to accommodate the largest sheets contemplated for application by the particular machine concerned. In instances where smaller sheets than the largest contemplated are to be carried and applied, suction pads having less extensive perforate areas, respectively, may be substituted for those having the greater perforate areas, or suitable imperforate h'oods may be applied over the suction pads having the greater perforate areas so as to cover perforate portions thereof not covered'by' thesheets carried.

cs, Also, other means than the latch mechanisms illustrated may be employed for insiu'ing inst premature return of the sheet-carrying and applying arms after respective sheet-applying operations. For example, a friction wheel I52, Fig. 13 rotating at a considerably r ater speed than the speedof travel of a sheet-carrying and applying arm on its forward swing. during a sheet-applying operation, and rotating in a corresponding forward direction, may be provided to give the said arm a forward kick or impetus suiilcient'to spective embodiments of the invention, the sheetcarrying and applying arms of the applicator are mutually in immediate-seriati'm relationship, that is to say, their respective suction chambers are arranged about the periphery of. the applicator without any other part of the-applicator intervening their respective suction chambers: that the respective applicator arms are normally disposed at substantially equal arcuate spacing from'one another and when under rotation elected by their central axial support are free to move in the direction of rotation of the applicator, subject to the resiliency of their respective restraining coil springs, from the zone of reception of the severed sheet material or individual sheet material blanks to the zone of applying s ch severed or individual sheets to the moving web material, at which lastnamed stage the respective applicator arms are retained in position as they may be advanced in the direction of rotation of the applicator by the engagement of the respective suction chambers with the moving web material and retained in such advanced 'podtion until released by the trip-post, to again become freely movable in their rotational passage in return to the zone of reception of the severed sheet material or individual sheet blanks.

By the construction of an applicator provided with suitable rotatable supporting means on which are articulatively'mounted a plurality of individual applicator arms in immediate mutual seriatim relationship and radially with respect to such supporting means, combined with means for resiliently restraining such applicator arms with.

in determined limits of thei rotative paths of travel, the applicator is adapted to apply to the moving base material runsof sheets of material of wide range of dimension without any adjustment whatsoever of the applicator.

Whereas this invention is described with respect to preferred specific embodiments thereof, it

should be understood that various changes may be made in such specific embodiments and various other specific embodiments may be constructed by th'ose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and generic scope of the invention as set forth herein and in the claims which here follow.

I claim: a 1. In apparatus for applyingindividual sheets of material to base material, an applicator, comprising rotatable supporting means; a plurality of individual applicator arms articulatively secured to said supporting means circumferentially thereof and in mutually-spaced relationship for rotation therewith; means normally maintaining said arm in given respective positions relative to-one another and to the applicator as a whole, but perand means for retaining therespective applicator arms in forwardly swung position for a limited portion of the rotative path of travel thereof following the respective sheet-applying operations.

2. In apparatus for applying individual sheets of material to base-material, an applicator, comprising rotatable supporting means;

a plurality of individual applicator arms" secured to saidsu'pporting means clrcumferentially thereof and in mutually spaced relationship for rotation therewith; means normally maintaining said arms in given respective positions relative to one another and to the applicator as a whole, but per-- mitting said arms to be respectively swung'forwardly during the said sheet-applying Op rations; means for exerting suction at theouter ends of said applicator arms during a predetermined portion of the rotative path of travel of said arms; and means fo retaining the respective applicator arms in forwardly swung position for a limited portion of the rotative path of travel thereof following the respective sheet-applying operations.

3. In apparatus for applying individual sheets mitting said arms to be respectively swung forwardly during the said sheet-applying operations; means for retaining the respective applicator arms in forwardly swung position for a limited portion of the rotative path of travel thereof following the respective sheet-applying operations; and

means for returning said arms to their original positions immediately following the said limited portion of the rotative path of travel thereof.

,4. In apparatus for applying individual sheets of I material to base material, an applicator, comprising rotatable supporting means; a plurality of individual applicator arms articulatively secured to said supporting means circumferentially thereof and in mutually spaced relationship for rotation therewith means normally maintaining said "40 arms in given respective positions relative to one another and to the applicator as a whole, but permitting said arms to be respectively swung forwardly during the said sheet-applying operations; a plurality of individual latch means operatively secured to said rotatable supporting means in ad Vance of said arms, respectively; a plurality of individual latch-securing means mounted on said' arms, respectively, for latching cooperation with said latch means when said arms are swung forwardly: and means for, disengaging said latch means from said latch-securing means at a point within the path of rotation of said arms which is located a predetermined distance in advance of the sheet-applying zone of said plicator.

Gil

5. In apparatus for applying individual sheets of material to base material,- an applicator, comprisingrotatable supporting means; a plurality of individual applicator arms articulatively secured to said supporting means circumferentially thereof andin mutually spaced relationship for rotation therewith,;whereby'the individual sheet- Y applying operations of said arms will cause said mitting said arms to be respectively swung forwardly during the said heet-applying oper tion arms, respectively; aplurality'of individual lateharms to be respectively swung forwardly during the said sheet-applying operations a plurality of 1 individual latch means operativel'ysecured to said rotatable supporting means in advance of--said of rotation of said arms which is located a predetermined distance in advance oftbe sheet-applyingzoneofsaidappiicatonandmcansigrm of material to base material, an applicator, comprising rotatable supporting means; a plurality of individual applicator arms articulatively secured to said'supporting means circumferentially thereof and in mutually spaced relationship for rotation therewith; means normally maintaining said arms in given respective positions relative to one another and to the aplicator as a whole, but permitting said arms to be respectively swung forv wardly during the said sheet-applying operations;

a stationary suction conduit arranged axially of said rotatable supporting means and upon which said rotatable supporting means is mounted for rotation; a, plurality of suction passages arranged radially within said rotatable supporting means and aligned circumferentially thereof; aperture means extending about a portion of the circumference of said suction conduit in alignment with said radial suction passages so the latter will register therewith at predetermined time intervals during rotation of said rotatable supporting means; suction pads disposed at the outer ends of said arms, respectively; and flexible suction tubes connecting said radial suction passages with said suction pads.

'7. In apparatus for applying individual sheets of material to base material, an applicator, comprising a rotatable hub; a plurality of individual applicator arms articulatively secured to said rotatable hub circumferentially thereof and in mutually spaced relationship for rotation therewith, said arms'being adapted for forward and backward movement relative to one another along the path of rotation of said hub; a, back-plate. fixedly mounted relative to said hub for rotation therewith about the same axis of rotation, said backplate comprehending said arms and being spaced slightly apart therefrom; individual limited stop means for said arms, respectively, mounted on said back-plate adjacent said arms; individual spring means anchored to said back-plate and 'to stop means; individual latch meansmounted on said back-plate adjacent said arms, respectively,

and lying at'opposit'e sides thereof "to which the ing means mounted on said arms, respectively, for latching cooperation with said latch means when means for disengaging the respective latch means from the respective latch-securing means at a point within the path of rotation of said arms itran'ce of the sheet-applying zone of said applica- 8. Apparatus for applying individual sheets of material to moving base material; an applicator; means for moving the base material in operative individual sheets of material to said applicator:

means; a plurality of individual operating arms articulatively secured radially to said supporting means and extending therefrom in mutually immediate seriatim relationship; means for normally maintaining said arms in predetermined spaced positions relative to one another, freedom of movement of the respective arms being limited in the direction of rotation of said supporting means only by those arms which are respectively in im said arms, respectively, for normally maintaining said arms tightly against their corresponding limit c said limit stop means lie; individual latch-secur-' said arms are swung toward said latch means; and

relation to said applicator: means for feeding said applicator comprising rotatable supporting mediate advance thereof in the said direction of rotation, whereby said operating arms may be individually and successively carried by the said moving material operated upon, in the direction and at the rate of movement of said moving material and while operating upon said moving material; and means for restraining the respective arms during the stage of operation upon the moving material and for a limited period of rotation thereafter.

In paratus'for applyin individual sheets of material to moving base material, an applicator, comprising an elongated suction tube stavtionarily mounted; a rotatably elongated sleeve closely fitted about said suction tube; a plurality of applicator arms, each having an end mounted on said sleeve for rotation relative thereto, the said ends of said arms being disposed in side-byside relationship on said sleeve, and the respective arms'extending rigidly therefrom radially of said sleeve and in mutually spaced relationship considered circumferentially of said sleeve; suction pads carried at the opposite ends of the respective which is located a predetermined distance in adarms, said suction pads being elongated in the direction of elongation of said suction tube and sleeve, and'being aligned circumferentially of said applicator; means for providing suction at said suction pads within a predetermined portion of their common rotative path of travel; back-plate means fixed on said sleeve for rotation therewith; a plurality of limit-stop means extending from said back-plate means relative to the respective applicator arms and adapted to fix the normal radial positions of said respective applicator arms; spring means associated with said respective al plicator arms and arranged to maintain said arms in their said normal radial positions; and means associated with said back-plate means for causing therespective arms to remain for limited periods of time, during operation of said applicator, in new positions to which they are carried within the 10. Apparatus for applying individual sheets of material to moving base material, comprising an applicator: means for feeding individual sheets'oi material to said applicator: means for moving the base material in operative relation to said applicator: said applicator comprising elongated axial supporting means; a. plurality of applicator arms journaled upon said supporting means in mutually immediate seriatim relationship, for rotation therearound; suction pads carried by respective applicator arms, said suction pads being elong ted,

respectively, lengthwise of said axial supporting means and mutually immediately aligned circum- V ferentially thereof; means for exhausting air from said suction pads; and means for resiliency restraining said applicator arms in their respective movements in the. direction of rotation of said supporting means during the stage of transit of delivery of the sheet'material to the moving base material.

11. Apparatus for applying individual sheets of material to moving base material, comprising an applicator: means for feeding individual sheets of material to said applicator: means for moving the base material'in operative relation to said applicator; said applicator comprising rotatable supporting means; aplurality of individual applicator arms; means for articulately'mounting said applicator arms as individual units in immediate mutually seriatim relationship radially with respect to said rotatable supporting means; means assess:

for resiliently restraining said applicator arms within predetermined limits of their rotative paths of travel; thereby permitting said applicator arms to swing freely, subject to such resilient reatrainins means, iorwardly in the direction of rotation oi said rotatable supporting means from the zone 01' reception of the individual sheet material'to the zone 01' application 0! the same by said applicator arms to the moving base material.

12. Apparatus for applying individual sheets or material to moving base material, comprising an applicator: means for feeding individual sh'eets or material to said applicator: means for moving the base materialin operative relation to said applicator; said applicator comprising rotatable supporting means; a plurality of individual applicator arms; means for articulately mounting said applicator arms as individual units in I.- mediate mutually seriatim relationship at substantially equal arcuate spacing irom one another and radially with respect to said rotatable supporting means; means for resiliently restraining said applicator arms within predetermined limits or their rotative paths 01' travel; thereby permitting said applicator arms to swlns ireely, subject to such resilient restraining means, ror'wardly in the direction of rotation of said rotatable supportvin means from the zone of reception oi the individual sheet material to the zone oi applicationof the same by said applicator arms to the moving base material.

' r ARTHUR I BAMI QRD. 

